The TSA’s Tips for Getting Your Gift on Board (and Other Travel Advice)

Whether travelers are packing presents or pies, the Transportation Security Administration has issued tips to see passengers smoothly sail their way through security checkpoints this holiday season. The TSA’s tips cover the gamut of holiday travel, from getting to the airport, gifts and even gravy.

With the festive travel season about to kick into high-gear, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has offered advice to ensure all passengers a smooth start to their seasonal travels. Whether they are hauling gifts or packing pies, the agency has five easy tips to help travelers speed their way through the nation’s security checkpoints this holiday season.

When it comes to successful holiday travel, the TSA’s top tip is timeliness. “It’s peak travel season, remember that you aren’t the only one who wants to fly during the holiday. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic flight and three hours prior to an international flight out of a major airport,” the administration reminds travelers in a statement.

In addition to timeliness, the TSA also reminds travelers to use the minutes that they spend in checkpoint lines to their advantage. Having documents and identification ready to go will help to speed procedures along, as will emptying pockets.

For those traveling with gifts, the TSA is asking passengers not to wrap items using paper and tape, but rather, to put presents in gift boxes and bags to avoid any unnecessary security alerts.

Next up, festive food. “If the food item is a solid (i.e.: ham, turkey, cake, pie, cookies), then you can pack it in your carry-on bag,” the TSA explains. However, any liquid food items – like gravy, spreads and dips – need to adhere to the 3-1-1 liquids bag in order to be taken in the cabin.

Finally – as it does throughout the year – the TSA also advises passengers to be aware of what they can and can’t bring to security checkpoints. Those with questions or queries can visit the “What can I bring?” page here or even tweet a picture of the item in question to the TSA’s team via @AskTSA.